St. Andrews State ParkPanama City Beach, FL

Visibility is an estimate — wind, rain, tide & water alerts.

Getting in

Shore access, walk in off the sand

Snorkeling

Snorkelable from the beach

Best conditions

Snorkel the jetty at slack tide, when the current through the pass eases and the lagoon lies calmest.

Getting through the gate

$8 a vehicle for two to eight people, $4 for a single occupant, $2 on foot or by bike. Open 8 a.m. to sundown every day. Shell Island is reached only by boat, and the park's ferry concessionaire sells its tickets separately from the park fee.

Parking

A lot by the jetty serves that beach. The Pier Store lot nearer the entrance serves the fishing pier and the tram to the Shell Island ferry.

Protection

Spearfishing is prohibited anywhere in the park, including from the jetty. Scuba divers must dive in pairs and fly a diver-down flag.

On site

restrooms, rinse showers, parking lot, boat ramp, gear rentals nearby

Watch for

Current runs strong through the pass and along the jetty outside slack water, Rip currents and undertows can reach close to shore on the Gulf beach; the park flies warning flags

Checked 2026-08-23. Sources: Florida State Parks: snorkeling at St. Andrews State Park, Florida State Parks: St. Andrews State Park hours and fees, Florida State Parks: St. Andrews State Park experiences and amenities, Shell Island Ferry (park concessionaire), Florida Hikes: Jetty Beach, Beach Hunter: snorkeling the St. Andrews jetty.